Lonnie Brooks was born with the name Lee Baker, Jr., and made his first records under the moniker ‘Guitar Junior.’ But no matter what name he uses, Brooks has been a crowd pleaser for decades, blending his Louisiana/Texas R&B roots with the blues and soul sounds of Chicago to forge a strong musical identity enhanced by his songwriting skills and bright stage presence. Born in Dubuisson, Louisiana, on Dec. 18, 1933, Brooks says he didn’t begin playing guitar until he was 22, in Port Arthur, Texas, but it didn’t take long for him to land a record deal with the Goldband label. After moving to Chicago, he worked with Jimmy Reed, among others, playing guitar on Reed’s classic recording of ‘Big Boss Man.’ Given the Brooks pseudonym by blues pianist and producer Billy ‘The Kid’ Emerson, Lonnie established himself in the South and West side clubs and recorded for several labels, finally attracting the attention of European blues promoters and Chicago’s Alligator Records. Brooks’ extensive series of albums for Alligator and steady touring brought a new level of acclaim, and although his schedule slowed down in the new millennium, his sons Ronnie Baker Brooks and Wayne Baker Brooks have carried on the family blues banner in fine tradition. Lonnie and Wayne made their own unique contribution to the music as two of the rare blues musicians to be credited with co-authoring a guidebook to the blues in the 1998 publication Blues For Dummies.
